What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
- Thread starter Warheart
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sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
TonePros.
TonePros.
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
i dont even know the difference, isnt abr1 and nashville the same thing?
i hate those. i like the tune o matic on my epiphone, where you adjust string height with a flat end screw driver. it makes adjusting action SO much easier. on my gibson i gotta be de tuning and retuning...
i dont even know the difference, isnt abr1 and nashville the same thing?
i hate those. i like the tune o matic on my epiphone, where you adjust string height with a flat end screw driver. it makes adjusting action SO much easier. on my gibson i gotta be de tuning and retuning...
Oceano
New member
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
Honestly there's not enough difference in those for me to have a particular favorite. Large post is good because, like Astro said, you can adjust it easily with a screwdriver. I've never had a problem with the other kinds though. I do like my tonepros as well, but they're hella overpriced.
Honestly there's not enough difference in those for me to have a particular favorite. Large post is good because, like Astro said, you can adjust it easily with a screwdriver. I've never had a problem with the other kinds though. I do like my tonepros as well, but they're hella overpriced.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
I've read some interesting argumentation in favour of the ABR-1. If you break it down into its constituent parts: brass saddles, pot metal bridge piece, steel pins, brass thumbwheels; add the aluminium tailpiece with steel screws/inserts. Combination of hard and soft materials is supposedly a significant thing when considering the guitar as a whole in achieving a particular end.
I think that the lighter the bridge on a fixed bridge guitar, the better - minimizes the inertia a bridge causes between string and body vibrations. That way one hears more of the guitar and less of the bridge. A Nashville style bridge is larger and heavier (made of a zinc alloy called zamak), add the inserts, and you have a whole different animal.
Most people wouldn't care or notice the difference.
ABR-1
Nashville
Epiphone
I've read some interesting argumentation in favour of the ABR-1. If you break it down into its constituent parts: brass saddles, pot metal bridge piece, steel pins, brass thumbwheels; add the aluminium tailpiece with steel screws/inserts. Combination of hard and soft materials is supposedly a significant thing when considering the guitar as a whole in achieving a particular end.
I think that the lighter the bridge on a fixed bridge guitar, the better - minimizes the inertia a bridge causes between string and body vibrations. That way one hears more of the guitar and less of the bridge. A Nashville style bridge is larger and heavier (made of a zinc alloy called zamak), add the inserts, and you have a whole different animal.
Most people wouldn't care or notice the difference.
ABR-1
Nashville
Epiphone
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
I'm partial to ABR-1's myself.
I'm partial to ABR-1's myself.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
Nashville, or ABR1. I kind of prefer the Nashville for peace of mind. I had a guitar with an ABR1 that started to fold over, over time. Easy fix though, and I think the ABR1 sounds better directly into the wood. But I'm fine with the Nashville as long as it's a quality bridge.
Ibanez Gibraltar bridges would rank among my fave as well.
Epi bridge is def convenient to adjust , but materials wise they (and alot of other cheap MIC/MIK TOM bridges) leave alot to be desired-Put a tonepros large post metric as well as inserts/posts/TP on them- marked difference.
Nashville, or ABR1. I kind of prefer the Nashville for peace of mind. I had a guitar with an ABR1 that started to fold over, over time. Easy fix though, and I think the ABR1 sounds better directly into the wood. But I'm fine with the Nashville as long as it's a quality bridge.
Ibanez Gibraltar bridges would rank among my fave as well.
Epi bridge is def convenient to adjust , but materials wise they (and alot of other cheap MIC/MIK TOM bridges) leave alot to be desired-Put a tonepros large post metric as well as inserts/posts/TP on them- marked difference.
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
Another vote for the stock ABR-1...it just sounds right to me in the the mids and the highs. I've never had a problem with ABR bridge posts and I've used up to .013 sets. I converted two Gibsons that came with Nashvilles to ABR's and there was an improvement to my ears in both cases...YMMV.
Another vote for the stock ABR-1...it just sounds right to me in the the mids and the highs. I've never had a problem with ABR bridge posts and I've used up to .013 sets. I converted two Gibsons that came with Nashvilles to ABR's and there was an improvement to my ears in both cases...YMMV.
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
The TonePros LockTone (or Epi LockTone). Dramatically reduces buzzing & rattles. My Epi LockTone is buzz free & doesn't lean or move/wiggle. Rock Solid. I think it actually increases sustain over the ABR-1.
Also check out the new GraphTech RezoMax bridges. Magnetic "locking" Tune-O-Matic. Locking style definitely recommended for buzz free operation.
The TonePros LockTone (or Epi LockTone). Dramatically reduces buzzing & rattles. My Epi LockTone is buzz free & doesn't lean or move/wiggle. Rock Solid. I think it actually increases sustain over the ABR-1.
Also check out the new GraphTech RezoMax bridges. Magnetic "locking" Tune-O-Matic. Locking style definitely recommended for buzz free operation.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
if you like the abr then check out the gotoh version because it has no wire to fall off. Good sounding too. Chunky.
if you like the abr then check out the gotoh version because it has no wire to fall off. Good sounding too. Chunky.
yngwie308
New member
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
For me as far as a wrap tail piece or an ABR-1, then it is Pigtail all the way.
Pigtail parts are so precisely made that there is need for Tone Pros type locking.
I do have an aluminum ABR-1 Pigtail on my '52/'56 LP Gold top Conversion, that just really wakes up the guitar, along with the Pigtail lightweight stop tail and steel studs.
Nashville's suit differing types of say, Les Pauls.
On my Gary Moore Heritages, I fitted Gotoh Nashvilles due to the weight of the guitars and the adjust ability.
Not every LP is suited to the more vintage ABR-1 design..
yngwie308
For me as far as a wrap tail piece or an ABR-1, then it is Pigtail all the way.
Pigtail parts are so precisely made that there is need for Tone Pros type locking.
I do have an aluminum ABR-1 Pigtail on my '52/'56 LP Gold top Conversion, that just really wakes up the guitar, along with the Pigtail lightweight stop tail and steel studs.
Nashville's suit differing types of say, Les Pauls.
On my Gary Moore Heritages, I fitted Gotoh Nashvilles due to the weight of the guitars and the adjust ability.
Not every LP is suited to the more vintage ABR-1 design..
yngwie308
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
Love the single piece Gibraltar Standard and Plus bridges. They're already pretty low profile but they recess them and lower the bridge even closer to the body...which is exactly what I like.
But well the ones I'm talking about aren't T.O.Ms haha. In fact I'm not sure if the Ibanez T.O.M. (ART1) is Gibraltar...
I generally am not the biggest T.O.M. fan out there because I've always been more of a low profile, no neck angle kind of person, but I can deal with them ok. My favorite so far is probably the set up Carvin uses, which is a recessed T.O.M. So, whichever brand/style, as long as it's recessed. Out of the regular ones out there I can get why a Nashville is easier to deal with, but I also get why the ABR-1 is the one who a lot of people prefer tonewise...I should add the tailpiece seems to make a big big difference regardless of bridge.
Love the single piece Gibraltar Standard and Plus bridges. They're already pretty low profile but they recess them and lower the bridge even closer to the body...which is exactly what I like.
But well the ones I'm talking about aren't T.O.Ms haha. In fact I'm not sure if the Ibanez T.O.M. (ART1) is Gibraltar...
I generally am not the biggest T.O.M. fan out there because I've always been more of a low profile, no neck angle kind of person, but I can deal with them ok. My favorite so far is probably the set up Carvin uses, which is a recessed T.O.M. So, whichever brand/style, as long as it's recessed. Out of the regular ones out there I can get why a Nashville is easier to deal with, but I also get why the ABR-1 is the one who a lot of people prefer tonewise...I should add the tailpiece seems to make a big big difference regardless of bridge.
Bludave
New member
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
I have several guitars equipped with Abr bridges. I also have a couple that has Nashville. I have a few that have tone pros also.
The ABR I feel sounds the best, but is not as easy to adjust under string tension. The posts can start to dip towards the neck over time too.
The Nashville bridges work, but on some guitars the strings can actually come in contact with the back of the bridge before they ride over the saddle. Its a common problem on some of the new Les Pauls. This is more a result of the neck angle then it is a bridge design but it can cause strings to break more frequently.
The Tone Pro system is excellent as well. I have this on a Shecter Tempest and it works fine. I like the idea that you can adjust it under tension.
On almost all of my guitars that are equipped wit the above bridges I have replaced the saddles with graphite, so I don't have any issue with strings breaking. I still like the ABR best. It looks and feels more tradtional to me and it sounds great!
I have several guitars equipped with Abr bridges. I also have a couple that has Nashville. I have a few that have tone pros also.
The ABR I feel sounds the best, but is not as easy to adjust under string tension. The posts can start to dip towards the neck over time too.
The Nashville bridges work, but on some guitars the strings can actually come in contact with the back of the bridge before they ride over the saddle. Its a common problem on some of the new Les Pauls. This is more a result of the neck angle then it is a bridge design but it can cause strings to break more frequently.
The Tone Pro system is excellent as well. I have this on a Shecter Tempest and it works fine. I like the idea that you can adjust it under tension.
On almost all of my guitars that are equipped wit the above bridges I have replaced the saddles with graphite, so I don't have any issue with strings breaking. I still like the ABR best. It looks and feels more tradtional to me and it sounds great!
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
I am definitely going tone pros, I'm building a Pre-lawsuit ESP explorer, and I have been trying to figure out which bridge is best.
I think I would be opposed to the ABR-1, simply for the fact that the posts can bend.
I don't like the Large post because the threads on the bridge posts are larger, making it a little wobbly.
I may have to stick with the Nashville Tonepros!
I am definitely going tone pros, I'm building a Pre-lawsuit ESP explorer, and I have been trying to figure out which bridge is best.
I think I would be opposed to the ABR-1, simply for the fact that the posts can bend.
I don't like the Large post because the threads on the bridge posts are larger, making it a little wobbly.
I may have to stick with the Nashville Tonepros!
LtKojak
New member
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
TonePros are made by Gotoh, which offer a model which is basically the same but costs less.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges...c_bridges/Gotoh_510_Bridge_and_Tailpiece.html
HTH,
TonePros are made by Gotoh, which offer a model which is basically the same but costs less.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges...c_bridges/Gotoh_510_Bridge_and_Tailpiece.html
HTH,
Reload in 5
Just Ultimate Slacker
Re: What is the best Tune-o-Matic style bridge?
Tonepros are $130 all day long. Find em on slae for less, or find a coupon for music123 etc, and get free shipping. Chrome is $116 right now with free shipping.
Tonepros are $130 all day long. Find em on slae for less, or find a coupon for music123 etc, and get free shipping. Chrome is $116 right now with free shipping.
